Cosmetic composition with continuous lipophilic phase containing fibres

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a cosmetic composition with a lipophilic continuous phase, in particular a make-up composition, containing flat fibres.  
     The subject of the invention is also a make-up kit containing a first composition comprising a colouring matter and a second composition comprising a lipophilic continuous phase and flat fibres.  
     The subject of the invention is also a cosmetic method or a method for the care of keratinous materials.

[0001] The present invention relates to a cosmetic composition containing flat fibres, and more especially to a make-up composition for the skin both of the face and of the human body, of the lips and of superficial body growths such as the nails, the eyelashes, the eyebrows or the hair.

[0002] The composition according to the invention may be a make-up composition such as products for the complexion (foundations which are coloured or otherwise), make-up for the cheeks or eye shadows, lip products which are coloured or otherwise, concealers, blushers, mascaras which are coloured or otherwise, eyeliners, make-up products for the eyebrows, lip or eye pencils, nail products which are coloured or otherwise, make-up products for the body, make-up products for the hair (hair mascara or lacquer), or a care composition for the skin such as the compositions intended for concealing skin imperfections. The composition may be used as it is for application to the keratinous materials or may be applied over a make-up already deposited on the keratinous materials, for example for modifying the make-up (the composition is applied as a top product commonly called top coat).

[0003] The make-up composition may also be applied over make-up accessories (support) such as false nails, false eyelashes, postiches, wigs or over pastilles or patches adhering to the skin or the lips (of the beauty-spot type).

[0004] It is known to use fibres in make-up products, in particular for their lengthening effects in mascaras (see JP-A-57/158714), their moisturizing properties in lipsticks (see the document U.S. Pat. No. 5,498,407), for improving the contours of lipsticks on the edges of the lips (see the document EP-A-0106762) or for repairing broken nails (see FR-A-1529329) or in care products for the skin for their velvety feel (JP-A-7/196440). Unfortunately, it is very difficult to disperse fibres in compositions homogeneously and without forming lumps, which, in a cosmetic composition and in particular in a make-up composition, generally gives a deposit on the keratinous materials, in particular a make-up, which is not uniform and not very aesthetic, having a contour which is not very sharp. Furthermore, the lumps of fibres due to the poor dispersion of the fibres modify the visual appearance of the composition.

[0005] In addition, this difficulty of dispersion leads to compositions having cosmetic properties which are not constant and not very reproducible, and generally causes problems of industrial manufacture and high costs of manufacture.

[0006] The aim of the present invention is therefore to provide a topical composition not exhibiting the above disadvantages and comprising fibres which are homogeneously distributed.

[0007] The inventors have discovered that flat fibres, that is to say fibres whose section has a flattened shape, are very easily incorporated into the cosmetic compositions and become homogeneously distributed in the composition.

[0008] The incorporation of flat fibres into the composition can be done very easily, both in the cold state and in the hot state, without losing the cosmetic properties of the composition. In particular, the good homogeneity of the fibres in the composition does not change the appearance of the product. It is possible to incorporate large amounts of flat fibres into the composition without modifying the visual appearance of the composition.

[0009] The composition applied to the keratinous materials forms a deposit exhibiting a velvety feel to the touch due to the homogeneous dispersion of the flat fibres in the composition and in the deposit formed after the application. The composition therefore provides a different feel to the smooth, crackled or granular feel, thus satisfying consumers seeking novelty.

[0010] In addition, the flat fibres provide properties of mechanical strengthening of the composition and of the deposit formed after application to the keratinous materials, in particular when the deposit comprises a film-forming polymer. In particular, the composition forms a deposit exhibiting good properties of mechanical resistance: the deposit is very resistant to rubbing, to shock and to scratching. The deposit is also very resistant to water (in particular during bathing or showering), rain, tears, sweat and sebum. The flat fibres thus provide a better retention of the deposit on the keratinous materials.

[0011] The composition comprising flat fibres applied to the skin makes it possible to obtain good concealing of skin imperfections.

[0012] The flat fibres also confer a bright visual effect. When they are formulated in a transparent or translucent carrier, the composition may be applied as a top coat over a make-up already deposited on the keratinous materials so as to thus modify the appearance of the make-up.

[0013] In addition, the particular colour effect of the make-up is clearly visible when the composition is applied to dark skins such as ethnic skins.

[0014] More precisely, the subject of the invention is a composition for topical application with a lipophilic continuous phase, and more especially a make-up cosmetic composition with a lipophilic continuous phase, containing flat fibres.

[0015] The subject of the invention is also a cosmetic method for applying make-up to or caring for keratinous materials comprising the application, to the keratinous materials, of a composition as defined above.

[0016] The subject of the invention is also the use of flat fibres in a cosmetic composition comprising a lipophilic continuous phase for mechanically strengthening the deposit obtained after the application of the said composition to keratinous materials, and/or the said composition.

[0017] The subject of the invention is also a cosmetic method for applying make-up to the keratinous materials comprising the application to the keratinous materials of a first layer, also called base layer, of a first cosmetic composition comprising, in a cosmetically acceptable medium, at least one colouring matter, then the application, to at least a portion of the said first layer, of a second layer of a second cosmetic composition comprising, in a cosmetically acceptable lipophilic continuous medium, flat fibres, the first composition not comprising flat fibres as present in the second composition.

[0018] The subject of the invention is also a make-up kit comprising:

[0019] a first composition comprising at least one colouring matter in a cosmetically acceptable medium, and

[0020] a second composition comprising flat fibres in a cosmetically acceptable lipophilic continuous medium, the first composition not comprising flat fibres as present in the second composition, the first and second compositions being packaged in separate containers.

[0021] The subject of the invention is also a support to which make-up has been applied, such as the make-up accessories cited above, comprising a make-up which is capable of being obtained according to the make-up application method as defined above and applied to the said support.

[0022] The expression “fibre” should be understood to mean an object having a length L and a diameter D such that L is much greater than D, D being the diameter of the circle in which the section of the fibre is inscribed. In particular, the ratio L/D (or shape factor) is chosen from the range going from 1.2 to 2 500, preferably from 1.5 to 500, and better still from 1.6 to 150.

[0023] The expression “flat fibre” is understood to mean a fibre whose cross section (section perpendicular to the axis of the direction of the length of the fibre) has a longer length L1 and a shorter length L2 (L2 corresponds to the thickness of the fibre) such that L1/L2 (ratio L1/L2 is also called flattening factor) is greater than or equal to 4, preferably greater than 7. In particular, L1/L2 ranges from 4 to 15, preferably from 6 to 12, and better still from 7 to 10. Thus, the cross section of the fibre has a flat shape. Advantageously, the longer length L1 and the shorter length L2 define axes X1, X2, respectively, such that the axis X1 is substantially perpendicular to the axis X2. The longer length L1 corresponds to the diameter D of the fibre as mentioned above. Thus, the flat fibres may be provided in the form of ribbons or tagliatelle.

[0024] The flat fibres may in particular have a cross section which is substantially rectangular, ovoid or ellipsoid.

[0025] The fibres which can be used in the composition of the invention may be fibres of synthetic or organic origin, and more particularly fibres of synthetic polymer. They may be short or long, unitary (or monofilament) or organized, for example plaited (or multifilament), hollow or solid, preferably solid. When the fibres are multifilament fibres, each filament may be of a different chemical composition and may have a different colour: multifilament fibres having different colours are thus obtained. In particular, their ends are blunt and/or smooth to avoid injury. Advantageously, the flat fibres are insoluble in water.

[0026] The flat fibre may be twisted along the axis of the length L of the fibre. When the flat fibre is not twisted, it exhibits a colour in a certain angle of view; outside this angle, the fibre is transparent or white in colour. The twisted flat fibre, for its part, exhibits a colour regardless of the angle of observation.

[0027] In particular, the fibres have a length ranging from 1 μm to 10 mm, preferably from 0.1 mm to 5 mm and better still from 0.3 mm to 3.5 mm. Their section (flat section) may be included in a circle having a diameter ranging from 2 nm to 500 μm, preferably ranging from 100 nm to 100 μm and better still from 1 μm to 70 μm. The weight or titre of the fibres is often given in denier or decitex and represents the weight, in grams, for 9 km of thread. Preferably, the fibres according to the invention have a titre chosen from the range going from 0.15 to 30 denier and better still from 0.18 to 18 denier.

[0028] The fibres may be those used in the manufacture of textiles and in particular of rayon fibre, polyamide (Nylon®) fibre, viscose fibre, acetate fibre, in particular rayon acetate fibre, poly(p-phenylene-terephthalamide) (or aramide) fibre, in particular Kevlar® fibre, acrylic polymer fibre, in particular polymethyl methacrylate fibre or poly-2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate fibre, polyolefin fibre and in particular polyethylene or polypropylene fibre, polytetrafluoroethylene fibre (such as Teflon®), polyvinyl or polyvinylidene chloride fibre, polyvinylidene fluoride fibre, polyvinyl alcohol fibre, polyacrylonitrile fibre, polyurethane fibre, polyester fibre such as polyethylene terephthalates and polyethylene naphthalates, and polycarbonate fibre.

[0029] Moreover, the fibres may be surface-treated or otherwise, or may be coated with a protective layer or otherwise.

[0030] The fibres which can be used in the composition according to the invention are preferably polyester, acrylic polymer and polyamide fibres.

[0031] According to a particular embodiment of the composition according to the invention, the flat fibres are fibres with a multilayer structure of polymer, the said layers being such that they allow the creation of a colour effect by inteferences of light rays, which diffract and diffuse differently according to the layers, Thus, such fibres may have colours which vary according to the angle of observation and the incidence of light, and may confer irridescent glints. Fibres with multilayer structure of polymers are in particular described in the documents EP-A-921217, EP-A-686858 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,472,798.

[0032] The multilayer structure may comprise at least two layers, each layer, independently or otherwise of the other layer(s), being made of at least one synthetic polymer.

[0033] The flat fibre may be formed of alternate individual layers of polymers having different refractive indices; each layer being in a plane (P) parallel to the direction of the principal axis of the fibre, in the direction of its length L. According to the thickness of each of the different layers, different colours are obtained. In general, the structure is composed of alternating layers of low refractive index and of high refractive index. Thus, in a cross section to the direction of the axis of the length L of the fibre, the fibre has a multilayer structure comprising alternate layers of at least a first polymer and a second polymer.

[0034] The multilayer part of the fibre may comprise at least 5 individual layers of polymer, in particular from 5 to 120, preferably at least 10 layers, in particular from 10 to 70 layers, and better still from 10 to 50 layers.

[0035] Each layer of the first and second polymers has respectively a thickness d₁, d₂ which may range, independently of each other, from 0.02 μm to 0.3 μm, and preferably from 0.05 μm to 0.15 μm.

[0036] Advantageously, the polymers present in the fibres advantageously have a refractive index ranging from 1.30 to 1.82 and better still ranging from 1.35 to 1.75. In particular, the first and second polymers have respectively a refractive index n₁ and n₂ such that n₁/n₂ ranges from 1.1 to 1.4.

[0037] Advantageously, n₁, n₂, d₁, d₂ satisfy the equation:

λ=2(n ₁ d ₁ +n ₂ d ₂)=2n ₁ [d ₁ +d ₂(n ₂ /n ₁)]

[0038] in which λ is the wavelength, expressed in μm, of the colour of the fibre formed by optical interference (wavelength of the peak of the reflection spectrum); d₁ and d₂ being expressed in μm.

[0039] The flat fibre with multilayer structure preferably has a reflection spectrum such that the width at half height of the spectrum λ_(L=1/2) is in the range 0<λ_(L=1/2)<200 nm.

[0040] The polymers constituting the fibres which are particularly preferred are polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, polycarbonate; acrylic polymers such as polymethyl methacrylate; polyamides.

[0041] The polyethylene terephthalate may be obtained by polycondensation of terephthalic acid with ethylene glycol. It may contain from 0 to 30% by weight, preferably from 0 to 15% by weight, and better still from 0 to 10% by weight, relative to the total weight of the monomers, of other comonomers.

[0042] In particular, the polyethylene terephthalate may comprise from 0.3 to 10 mol %, and preferably from 0.5 to 5 mol %, of dicarboxylic acid monomer comprising a sulphonic acid group neutralized by a metal salt, relative to the total weight of the dicarboxylic acid monomer present in the polyethylene terephthalate.

[0043] The sulphonic acid group neutralized by a metal salt is a group of formula —SO₃M in which M is a metal, preferably an alkali or alkaline-earth metal, and more particularly sodium, potassium or lithium.

[0044] As example of dicarboxylic acid monomer comprising a sulphonic acid group neutralized by a metal salt, there may be used the sodium salt of 5-sulphoisophthalic acid, the potassium salt of 5-sulphoisophthalic acid, the lithium salt of 5-sulphoisophthalic acid, and the methyl diesters thereof, sodium 3,5-di (β-hydroxyethoxycarbonyl) benzenesulphonate, potassium 3,5-di(β-hydroxyethoxycarbonyl)benzenesulphonate, lithium 3,5-di(βhydroxyethoxycarbonyl)benzenesulphonate, sodium 4-sulphonate-2,6-naphthalic acid methyl diester, potassium 4-sulphonate-2,6-naphthalic acid methyl diester, lithium 4-sulphonate-2,6-naphthalic acid methyl diester, sodium 2,6-dicarboxynaphthalene-4-sulphonate, sodium 2,6-dicarboxynaphthalenel-sulphonate, 3-sulphonate-2,6-naphthalic acid methyl diester, sodium 4,8-disulphonate-2,6-naphthalic acid methyl diester, sodium 2,6-dicarboxynaphthalene-4,8-disulfonate, sodium 2,5-bis(hydroxyethoxy)benzenesulphonate, sodium sulphosuccinate, and mixtures thereof. Sodium 5-sulphoisophthalic acid methyl diester, the sodium salt of 5-sulphoisophthalic acid and sodium 3,5-di(β-hydroxyethoxycarbonyl)benzenesulphonate are preferably used.

[0045] The polyethylene naphthalate may be obtained by polycondensation of 2,6-naphthalic acid or of 2,7-naphthalic acid with ethylene glycol. The polyethylene naphthalate may therefore be a polyethylene-2,6-naphthalate or a polyethylene-2,7-naphthalate, preferably a polyethylene-2,6-naphthalate.

[0046] It may contain from 0.3 to 5 mol % of dicarboxylic acid monomer comprising a sulphonic acid group neutralized by a metal salt as defined above, relative to the total weight of the dicarboxylic acid monomer present in the polyethylene naphthalate.

[0047] Other comonomers such as an additional dicarboxylic acid, different from the dicarboxylic acids mentioned above, or an additional diol, different from polyethylene glycol, may be present in the polyethylene terephthalate or the polyethylene naphthalate.

[0048] The additional dicarboxylic acid may be chosen from the aromatic dicarboxylic acids such as isophthalic acid, biphenyldicarboxylic acid, 4,4′-dicarboxylic acid of diphenyl ether, 4,4′-dicarboxylic acid of diphenylmethane, 4,4′-dicarboxylic acid of diphenyl sulphone, 4,4′-dicarboxylic acid of 1,2-diphenoxyethane, 2,5-pyridinedicarboxylic acid, 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid, 2,7-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid, dicarboxylic acid of diphenyl ketone; aliphatic dicarboxylic acids such as malonic acid, succinic acid, adipic acid, azelaic acid, sebacic acid; alicyclic dicarboxylic acids such as dicarboxylic acid of decalin; hydroxycarboxylic acids such as β-hydroxyethoxybenzoic acid, para-hydroxybenzoic acid and hydroxypropionic acid.

[0049] The additional diol may be chosen in particular from the aliphatic diols such as propylene glycol, butylene glycol, hexylene glycol, diethylene glycol, polyethylene glycol; the aromatic diols such as hydroquinone, catechol, naphthalenediol, resorcinol, bisphenol A; alicyclic diols such as cyclohexanedimethanol.

[0050] Other comonomers may also be chosen from polyvalent carboxylic acids such as trimellitic acid, pyromellitic acid, tricarballylic acid; polyhydric alcohols such as glycerin, trimethylolethane, trimethylolpropane and pentaerythritol.

[0051] The polymethyl methacrylate may comprise acid monomers such that the acid value of the polymer is preferably greater than 3, in particular ranging from 3 to 20, and better still from 4 to 15. Such acid monomers may be (meth)acrylic acid or maleic acid.

[0052] The polyamide may be chosen from nylon 6, nylon 6-6, nylon 6-12, nylon 11, nylon 12, whose chemical composition is well known to persons skilled in the art.

[0053] Advantageously, in the multilayer structure of the flat fibres, the first polymer may be chosen from polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, polycarbonate, in particular those defined above; the second polymer may be chosen from acrylic polymers such as polymethyl methacrylate, and the polyamides, in particular those described above.

[0054] The flat fibres with multilayer structure may comprise a protective layer which may comprise a polymer chosen from the layer polymers. Preferably, the polymer of the protective layer may have a refractive index ranging from 1.35 to 1.55.

[0055] The thickness of the protective layer may be greater than the thickness of the layers of polymers of the multilayer part.

[0056] The thickness of the protective layer may range from 2 μm to 10 μm, preferably from 2 μm to 7 μm.

[0057] When the fibre comprises, at the surface, a protective layer, this protective layer is taken into account for calculating the flattening factor.

[0058] As polymer of the protective layer, there may be used in particular polytetrafluoroethylene, tetrafluoroethylene/propylene copolymers, tetrafluoroethylene/hexafluoropropylene copolymers, tetrafluoroethylene/ethylene copolymers, tetrafluoroethylene/tetrafluoropropylene copolymers, polyvinylidene fluoride, polypentadecafluorooctyl acrylates, polyfluoroethyl acrylates, polytrifluoroisopropyl methacrylates, polytrifluoroethyl methacrylates, polyethyl acrylates, polyethyl methacrylates. It is also possible to use silicone polymers such as polydimethylsilanes, polydimethylsiloxanes; polyurethanes.

[0059] The flat fibres may be obtained in a known manner by extrusion of the polymer(s) through a die of rectangular shape and then cutting the thread obtained to the desired length.

[0060] As flat fibres, there may be used the interferential fibres sold under the names “Morphotex”<<Teijin Tetron Morphotex>> by the company TEIJIN. Such flat fibres are described in application EP-A-921217 whose content is integrated by way of reference into the present application.

[0061] The flat fibres may be present in the composition according to the invention, in particular in the top composition, in an amount ranging from 0.01% to 50% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition, preferably from 0.1% to 30% by weight, and better still from 0.3% to 20% by weight.

[0062] The composition of the invention containing the flat fibres may be provided in the form of a product to be applied to the skin, the lips and/or the superficial body growths of human beings. It therefore contains a cosmetically acceptable medium, that is to say a medium compatible with all keratinous materials such as the skin both of the human body and of the face, the nails, the hair, the eyelashes and eyebrows.

[0063] According to the invention, this medium contains a lipophilic continuous phase, that is to say a mixture of one or more fatty substances or of organic solvents, immiscible with water or miscible at less than 50% by weight in water at room temperature (25° C.), which may be liquid, pasty or solid at room temperature (25° C. in general). In particular, this medium may comprise or may be provided in particular in the form of a suspension, dispersion or solution in an oily phase or of a lipophilic organic solvent, optionally thickened, or even gelled; suspension or dispersion in a waxy phase; water-in-oil (W/O) or multiple (O/W/o) emulsion in the form of a cream or a paste; anhydrous gel or oily foam; emulsified gel; two-phase or multiphase lotion; spray; powder; anhydrous paste. Persons skilled in the art will be able to choose the appropriate galenic form, as well as its method of preparation, on the basis of their general knowledge, taking into account, on the one hand, the nature of the constituents used, in particular their solubility in the carrier, and, on the other hand, the application envisaged for the composition.

[0064] The composition therefore comprises a lipophilic continuous phase which may contain fatty substances which are liquid at room temperature and atmospheric pressure, often called oils, organic solvents which are immiscible with water, waxes, gums, pasty fatty substances or a mixture of these constituents. This continuous phase may represent from 0.5 to 99.99% of the total weight of the composition.

[0065] In the kit according to the invention, the first composition, termed base composition, may comprise, as cosmetically acceptable medium, an aqueous medium or an organic solvent medium.

[0066] As fatty substances which are liquid at room temperature, often called oils, which can be used in the invention, there may be mentioned: hydrocarbon oils of animal origin such as perhydrosqualene; vegetable hydrocarbon oils such as liquid triglycerides of fatty acids with 4 to 10 carbon atoms such as the triglycerides of heptanoic or octanoic acids, or sunflower, maize, soyabean, grapeseed, sesame, apricot, macadamia, castor and avocado oils, the triglycerides of caprylic/capric acids, jojoba oil, shea butter; linear or branched hydrocarbons, of mineral or synthetic origin, such as paraffin oils and derivatives thereof, petroleum jelly, polydecenes, hydrogenated polyisobutene such as parleam; synthetic esters and ethers in particular of fatty acids or of fatty alchols having from 8 to 26 carbon atoms, such as for example Purcellin oil, isopropyl myristate, 2-ethylhexyl palmitate, 2-octyldodecyl stearate, 2-octyldodecyl erucate, isostearyl isostearate; esters of hydroxylated fatty acids or fatty alcohols such as isostearyl lactate, octyl hydroxystearate, octyldodecyl hydroxystearate, diisostearyl malate, triisocetyl citrate, heptanoates, octanoates, decanoates of fatty alcohols; polyol esters such as propylene glycol dioctanoate, neopentyl glycol diheptanoate, diethylene glycol diisononanoate; and pentaerythritol esters; fatty alcohols having from 12 to 26 carbon atoms such as octyl dodecanol, 2-butyloctanol, 2-hexyldecanol, 2-undecylpentadecanol, oleyl alcohol; partially hydrocarbon- and/or silicone-based fluorinated oils; silicone oils such as polymethylsiloxanes (PDMS) which are volatile or otherwise, linear or cyclic, liquid or pasty at room temperature such as cyclomethicones, dimethicones, optionally comprising a phenyl group, such as phenyl trimethicones, phenyltrimethylsiloxydiphenyl siloxanes, diphenylmethyldimethyl trisiloxanes, diphenyl dimethicones, phenyl dimethicones, polymethylphenyl siloxanes; mixtures thereof.

[0067] These oils may represent from 0 to 99.99% by weight relative to the total weight of the fatty phase.

[0068] The lipophilic continuous phase of the composition according to the invention may also comprise one or more cosmetically acceptable organic solvents (acceptable tolerance, toxicology and feel). These organic solvents may represent from 0 to 90% of the total weight of the composition and may be chosen from the group consisting of lipophilic organic solvents, amphiphilic solvents or mixtures thereof. As organic solvents which can be used in the composition of the invention, there may be mentioned acetic acid esters such as methyl, ethyl, butyl, amyl, 2-methoxyethyl or isopropyl acetate; ketones such as methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone; hydrocarbons such as toluene, xylene, hexane, heptane; aldehydes having from 5 to 10 carbon atoms; ethers having at least 3 carbon atoms, and mixtures thereof.

[0069] When the composition according to the invention, or one of the base and/or top compositions, is provided in the form of an emulsion, it may optionally comprise, in addition, a surfactant, preferably in a quantity of 0 to 30% and in particular from 0.01 to 30% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition.

[0070] According to the application envisaged, the composition according to the invention, and in particular the first and/or second composition, may comprise, in addition, a film-forming polymer. The film-forming polymer may be a polymer solubilized or dispersed in the form of particles in the lipophilic continuous phase of the composition; it may also be solubilized or dispersed in an aqueous phase. The composition may comprise a mixture of these polymers.

[0071] The film-forming polymer may be present in the composition according to the invention, or one of the base and/or top compositions, in a polymer dry matter content ranging from 0.1% to 60% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition, preferably from 0.5% to 40% by weight, and better still from 1% to 30% by weight.

[0072] In the present application, the expression “film-forming polymer” is understood to mean a polymer capable of forming, on its own or in the presence of a film-forming aid, a continuous and adherent film on a support, in particular on keratinous materials.

[0073] Among the film-forming polymers which can be used in the composition of the present invention, there may be mentioned synthetic polymers of the free-radical type or of the polycondensate type, polymers of natural origin and mixtures thereof.

[0074] The expression free-radical film-forming polymer is understood to mean a polymer obtained by polymerization of monomers with in particular ethylenic unsaturation, each monomer being capable of homopolymerizing (in contrast to polycondensates). The film-forming polymers of the free-radical type may be in particular vinyl polymers or copolymers, in particular acrylic polymers.

[0075] The vinyl film-forming polymers may result from the polymerization of ethylenically unsaturated monomers having at least one acid group and/or esters of these acid monomers and/or amides of these acid monomers.

[0076] As a monomer carrying an acid group, there may be used α,β-ethylenic unsaturated carboxylic acids such as acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, crotonic acid, maleic acid or itaconic acid. (Meth)acrylic acid and crotonic acid are preferably used, and more preferably (meth)acrylic acid.

[0077] The esters of acid monomers are advantageously chosen from the esters of (meth)acrylic acid (also called (meth)acrylates), especially alkyl, in particular C₁-C₃₀, preferably C₁-C₂₀, alkyl, (meth)acrylates, aryl, in particular C₆-C₁₀ aryl, (meth)acrylates, hydroxyalkyl, in particular C₂-C₆ hydroxyalkyl, (meth)acrylates.

[0078] Among the alkyl (meth)acrylates, there may be mentioned methyl methacrylate, ethyl methacrylate, butyl methacrylate, isobutyl methacrylate, 2-ethylhexyl methacrylate, lauryl methacrylate and cyclohexyl methacrylate.

[0079] Among the hydroxyalkyl (meth)acrylates, there may be mentioned hydroxyethyl acrylate, 2-hydroxypropyl acrylate, hydroxyethyl methacrylate and 2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate.

[0080] Among the aryl (meth)acrylates, there may be mentioned benzyl acrylate and phenyl acrylate.

[0081] The esters of (meth)acrylic acid which are particularly preferred are the alkyl (meth)acrylates.

[0082] According to the present invention, the alkyl group of the esters may be either fluorinated or perfluorinated, that is to say that some or all of the hydrogen atoms of the alkyl group are substituted with fluorine atoms.

[0083] As amides of the acid monomers, there may be mentioned for example (meth)acrylamides, and especially N-alkyl(meth)acrylamides, in particular of C₂-C₁₂ alkyl. Among the N-alkyl(meth)acrylamides, there may be mentioned N-ethylacrylamide, N-t-butylacrylamide, N-t-octylacrylamide and N-undecylacrylamide.

[0084] The vinyl film-forming polymers may also result from the homopolymerization or copolymerization of monomers chosen from vinyl esters and styrene monomers. In particular, these monomers may be polymerized with acid monomers and/or their esters and/or their amides, such as those mentioned above.

[0085] As examples of vinyl esters, there may be mentioned vinyl acetate, vinyl neodecanoate, vinyl pivalate, vinyl benzoate and vinyl t-butyl benzoate.

[0086] As styrene monomers, there may be mentioned styrene and alpha-methylstyrene.

[0087] The list of monomers given is not limiting and it is possible to use any monomer known to a person skilled in the art entering into the categories of acrylic and vinyl monomers (including the monomers modified by a silicone chain).

[0088] Among the film-forming polycondensates, there may be mentioned polyurethanes, polyesters, polyester amides, polyamides, and epoxy ester resins and polyureas.

[0089] The polyurethanes may be chosen from anionic, cationic, nonionic or amphoteric polyurethanes, polyurethane-acrylics, polyurethane-polyvinylpyrrolidones, polyester-polyurethanes, polyetherpolyurethanes, polyureas, polyurea-polyurethanes and mixtures thereof.

[0090] The polyesters may be obtained, in a known manner, by polycondensation of dicarboxylic acids with polyols, in particular diols.

[0091] The dicarboxylic acid may be aliphatic, alicyclic or aromatic. There may be mentioned as examples of such acids: oxalic acid, malonic acid, dimethylmalonic acid, succinic acid, glutaric acid, adipic acid, pimelic acid, 2,2-dimethylglutaric acid, azelaic acid, suberic acid, sebacic acid, fumaric acid, maleic acid, itaconic acid, phthalic acid, dodecanedioic acid, 1,3-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid, 1,4-cyclohexanedicarboxylic acid, isophthalic acid, terephthalic acid, 2,5-norbornanedicarboxylic acid, diglycolic acid, thiodipropionic acid, 2,5-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid and 2,6-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid. These dicarboxylic acid monomers may be used alone or in combination with at least two dicarboxylic acid monomers. Among these monomers, phthalic acid, isophthalic acid and terephthalic acid are preferably chosen.

[0092] The diol may be chosen from aliphatic, alicyclic or aromatic diols. A diol is preferably used which is chosen from: ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, 1,3-propanediol, cyclohexanedimethanol and 4-butanediol. As other polyols, there may be used glycerol, pentaerythritol, sorbitol, trimethylolpropane.

[0093] The polyester amides may be obtained in a manner similar to the polyesters, by polycondensation of diacids with diamines or amino alcohols. As diamine, there may be used ethylenediamine, hexamethylenediamine, meta- or para-phenylenediamine. As amino alcohol, monoethanolamine may be used.

[0094] The polyester may, in addition, comprise at least one monomer carrying at least one —SO₃M group, with M representing a hydrogen atom, an ammonium ion NH₄ ⁺ or a metal ion, such as for example an Na⁺, Li⁺, K⁺, Mg 2, Ca2, Cu²⁺, Fe⁺ or Fe³⁺ ion. There may also be used in particular a bifunctional aromatic monomer comprising such an —SO₃M group.

[0095] The aromatic ring of the bifunctional aromatic monomer carrying, in addition, an —SO₃M group as described above may be chosen for example from benzene, naphthalene, anthracene, diphenyl, oxydiphenyl, sulphonyldiphenyl and methylenediphenyl rings. There may also be mentioned as examples of a bifunctional aromatic monomer carrying, in addition, an —SO₃M group: sulphoisophthalic acid, sulphoterephthalic acid, sulphophthalic acid, 4-sulphonaphthalene-2,7-dicarboxylic acid.

[0096] The use of copolymers based on isophthalate/sulphoisophthalate, and more particularly of copolymers obtained by condensation of diethylene glycol, cyclohexanedimethanol, isophthalic acid and sulphoisophthalic acid is preferred. Such polymers are sold, for example, under the trade name Eastman AQ® by the company Eastman Chemical Products.

[0097] The optionally modified polymers of natural origin may be chosen from shellac resin, sandarac gum, dammars, elemis, copals, water-insoluble cellulosic polymers such as nitrocellulose, cellulose acetate, cellulose acetobutyrate, cellulose acetopropionate, ethyl cellulose, and mixtures thereof.

[0098] According to a first embodiment of the composition according to the invention, the film-forming polymer may be present in the form of surface-stabilized particles dispersed in the liquid fatty phase. The film-forming polymer particles may have a size ranging from 5 nm to 600 nm, and in particular ranging from 20 nm to 300 nm. The techniques for preparing these dispersions are well known to persons skilled in the art. Dispersions of film-forming polymer in the liquid fatty phase, in the presence of stabilizing agents, are in particular described in the documents EP-A-749746, EP-A-923928, EP-A-930060 whose content is incorporated by way of reference into the present application.

[0099] According to a second embodiment of the composition according to the invention, the film-forming polymer may be solubilized in the liquid fatty phase; the film-forming polymer is then said to be a fat-soluble polymer.

[0100] By way of example of fat-soluble polymer, there may be mentioned the polymers corresponding to the following formula (I):

[0101] in which:

[0102] R₁ represents a saturated, linear or branched, hydrocarbon chain having from 1 to 19 carbon atoms;

[0103] R₂ represents a radical taken from the group consisting of:

[0104] a) —O—CO—R₄, R₄ having the same meaning as R₁ but is different from R₁ in the same copolymer,

[0105] b) —CH₂—R₅, R₅ representing a saturated, linear or branched, hydrocarbon chain having from 5 to 25 carbon atoms,

[0106] c) —O—R₆, R₆ representing a saturated hydrocarbon chain having from 2 to 18 carbon atoms, and

[0107] d) —CH₂—O—CO—R₇, R₇ representing a saturated, linear or branched, hydrocarbon chain having from 1 to 19 carbon atoms,

[0108] R₃ represents a hydrogen atom when R₂ represents the radicals a), b) or c) or R₃ represents a methyl radical when R₂ represents the radical d), it being necessary for the said copolymer to consist of at least 15% by weight of at least one monomer derived from a unit (Ia) or from a unit (Ib) in which the saturated, linear or branched, hydrocarbon chains have at least 7 carbon atoms.

[0109] The copolymers of formula (I) result from the copolymerization of at least one vinyl ester (corresponding to the unit Ia) and of at least one other monomer (corresponding to the unit Ib) which may be an α-olefin, an alkyl vinyl ether or an allyl or methallyl ester.

[0110] When, in the unit (Ib), R₂ is chosen from the radicals —CH₂—R₅, —O—R₆ or —CH₂—O—CO—R₇ as defined above, the copolymer of formula (I) may consist of 50 to 95 mol % of at least one unit (Ia) and of 5 to 50 mol % of at least one unit (Ib).

[0111] The copolymers of formula (I) may also result from the copolymerization of at least one vinyl ester and at least one other vinyl ester different from the first. In this case, these copolymers may consist of 10 to 90 mol % of at least one unit (Ia) and of 10 to 90 mol % of at least one unit (Ib) in which R₂ represents the radical —O—CO—R₄.

[0112] Among the vinyl esters leading to the unit of formula (Ia), or to the unit of formula (Ib) in which R₂=—O—CO—R₄, there may be mentioned vinyl acetate, vinyl propionate, vinyl butanoate, vinyl octanoate, vinyl decanoate, vinyl laurate, vinyl stearate, vinyl isostearate, vinyl 2,2-dimethyloctanoate and vinyl dimethylpropionate.

[0113] Among the α-olefins leading to the unit of formula (Ib) in which R₂=—CH₂—R₅, there may be mentioned 1-octene, 1-dodecene, 1-octadecene, 1-eicosene and mixtures of α-olefins having from 22 to 28 carbon atoms.

[0114] Among the alkyl vinyl ethers leading to the unit of formula (Ib) in which R₂=—O—R₆, there may be mentioned ethyl vinyl ether, n-butyl vinyl ether, isobutyl vinyl ether, decyl vinyl ether, dodecyl vinyl ether, cetyl vinyl ether and octadecyl vinyl ether.

[0115] Among the allyl or methallyl esters leading to the unit of formula (Ib) in which R₂=—CH₂—O—CO—R₇, there may be mentioned allyl and methallyl acetates, propionates, dimethylpropionates, butyrates, hexanoates, octanoates, decanoates, laurates, 2,2-dimethylpentanoates, stearates and eicosanoates.

[0116] The copolymers of formula (I) may also be crosslinked using certain types of crosslinking agents which are intended to substantially increase their molecular weight.

[0117] This crosslinking is carried out during the copolymerization and the crosslinking agents may be either of the vinyl type or of the allyl or methallyl type. Among these, there may be mentioned in particular tetraallyloxyethane, divinylbenzene, divinyl octanedioate, divinyl dodecanedioate and divinyl octadecanedioate.

[0118] Among the various copolymers of formula (I) which can be used in the composition according to the invention, there may be mentioned the copolymers: vinyl acetate/allyl stearate, vinyl acetate/vinyl laurate, vinyl acetate/vinyl stearate, vinyl acetate/octadecene, vinyl acetate/octadecyl vinyl ether, vinyl propionate/allyl laurate, vinyl propionate/vinyl laurate, vinyl stearate/1-octadecene, vinyl acetate/1-dodecene, vinyl stearate/ethyl vinyl ether, vinyl propionate/cetyl vinyl ether, vinyl stearate/allyl acetate, vinyl 2,2-dimethyloctanoate/vinyl laurate, allyl 2,2-dimethylpentanoate/vinyl laurate, vinyl dimethyl propionate/vinyl stearate, allyl dimethyl propionate/vinyl stearate, vinyl propionate/vinyl stearate, crosslinked with 0.2% of divinylbenzene, vinyl dimethyl propionate/vinyl laurate, crosslinked with 0.2% of divinylbenzene, vinyl acetate/octadecyl vinyl ether, crosslinked with 0.2% of tetraallyloxyethane, vinyl acetate/allyl stearate, crosslinked with 0.2% of divinylbenzene, vinyl acetate/1-octadecene crosslinked with 0.2% of divinylbenzene and allyl propionate/allyl stearate crosslinked with 0.2% of divinylbenzene.

[0119] As fat-soluble film-forming polymers, there may also be mentioned fat-soluble homopolymers, and in particular those resulting from the homopolymerization of vinyl esters having from 9 to 22 carbon atoms or of alkyl acrylates or methacrylates, the alkyl radicals having from 10 to 20 carbon atoms.

[0120] Such fat-soluble homopolymers may be chosen from polyvinyl stearate, polyvinyl stearate crosslinked using divinylbenzene, diallyl ether or diallyl phthalate, polystearyl (meth)acrylate, polyvinyl laurate, polylauryl (meth)acrylate, it being possible for these poly(meth)acrylates to be crosslinked using ethylene glycol or tetraethylene glycol dimethacrylate.

[0121] The fat-soluble copolymers and homopolymers defined above are known and in particular described in application FR-A-2262303; they may have a weight-average molecular weight ranging from 2 000 to 500 000, and preferably from 4 000 to 200 000.

[0122] As fat-soluble film-forming polymers which can be used in the invention, there may also be mentioned polyalkylenes and in particular copolymers of C₂-C₂₀ alkenes, different from the polyolefin wax defined in a), such as polybutene, alkyl celluloses with a saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched, C₁ to C₈ alkyl radical such as ethyl cellulose or propyl cellulose, copolymers of vinylpyrrolidone (VP) and in particular copolymers of vinylpyrrolidone and of a C₂ to C₄₀, and better still C₃ to C₂₀, alkene. By way of example of VP copolymers which can be used in the invention, there may be mentioned the VP/vinyl acetate, VP/ethyl methacrylate, butylated polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), VP/ethyl methacrylate/methacrylic acid, VP/eicosene, VP/hexadecene, VP/triacontene, VP/styrene and VP/acrylic acid/lauryl methacrylate copolymers.

[0123] The film-forming polymer is used in particular when it is desired to prepare a composition of the type including nail varnish, mascara, eyeliner, lacquer for the eyebrows, or hair, in particular hairstyling, compositions.

[0124] The film-forming polymer may be combined with film-forming aids. Such an aid may be chosen from any of the compounds known to persons skilled in the art as being capable of fulfilling the desired function, and may be chosen in particular from plasticizers and coalescents.

[0125] The composition according to the invention, or one of the base and/or top compositions, may also comprise an aqueous, alcoholic or aqueous-alcoholic phase, in a form dispersed or emulsified in the continuous phase. This phase may contain water, alcohols, a mixture of water and of alcohol or of acetone. The alcohols are in particular linear or branched lower monoalcohols having from 2 to 5 carbon atoms such as ethanol or propanol, polyols such as glycerin, diglycerin, propylene glycol, sorbitol, penthenol, penthylene glycol, polyethylene glycols. This aqueous phase may represent from 0 to 90% of the weight of the composition. It may, in addition, contain C₂ ethers and C₂-C₄ aldehydes.

[0126] The composition according to the invention, or one of the base and/or top compositions, may furthermore comprise all the ingredients conventionally used in the fields considered and more especially in the cosmetic and dermatological fields. These ingredients are in particular chosen from preservatives, thickeners, perfumes, hydrophilic or lipophilic active agents and mixtures thereof. The quantities of these different ingredients are those conventionally used in the fields considered and for example from 0.01% to 20% of the total weight of the composition.

[0127] The composition of the invention, or the top composition, may in addition comprise an additional particulate phase which may be present in an amount of 0 to 48% (in particular 0.01% to 48%) of the total weight of the composition, preferably from 0.01% to 30% and better still from 0.02% to 20%, and which may comprise pigments and/or pearlescent agents and/or fillers used in the cosmetic compositions.

[0128] The expression pigments should be understood to mean white or coloured, mineral or organic particles which are insoluble in the liquid fatty phase, intended to colour and/or opacify the composition. The expression fillers should be understood to mean colourless or white, mineral or synthetic, lamellar or nonlamellar particles. The expression pearlescent agents should be understood to mean irridescent particles, in particular produced by certain molluscs in their shell, or synthesized. These fillers and pearlescent agents serve in particular to modify the texture of the composition.

[0129] The pigments may be present in the composition in an amount of 0 to 25% (in particular 0.01% to 25%) relative to the weight of the composition, preferably from 0.01% to 15% by weight, and better still from 0.02% to 5% by weight. As mineral pigments which can be used in the invention, there may be mentioned titanium, zirconium or cerium oxides and zinc, iron or chromium oxides and ferric blue. Among the organic pigments which can be used in the invention, there may be mentioned carbon black, and barium, strontium, calcium and aluminium lacquers or diketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP) described in the documents EP-A-542669, EP-A-787730, EP-A-787731 and WO-A-96/08537.

[0130] The pearlescent agents may be present in the composition in an amount of 0 to 25% (in particular 0.01% to 25%) by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition, preferably from 0.01% to 15% by weight, and better still from 0.02% to 5% by weight. Among the pearlescent agents which can be used in the invention, there may be mentioned mica coated with titanium oxide, iron oxide, natural pigment or bismuth oxychloride such as coloured mica-titanium.

[0131] The fillers may be present in an amount of 0 to 48% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition, preferably 0.01 to 30% by weight, and better still from 0.02% to 20% by weight. There may be mentioned in particular talc, zinc stearate, mica, kaolin, polyamide powders (Nylon®) (Orgasol® from Atochem), polyethylene powders, powders of tetrafluoroethylene polymers (Teflon®), starch, boron nitride, polymeric microspheres such as those of polyvinylidene chloride/acrylonitrile such as Expancel® (Nobel Industrie), acrylic acid copolymers (Polytrap® from the company Dow Corning) and microbeads of silicone resin (Tospearls® from Toshiba, for example), elastomeric organopolysiloxanes.

[0132] The composition may also comprise water-soluble or fat-soluble colorants in an amount ranging from 0 to 6% (in particular 0.01% to 6%) by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition, preferably ranging from 0.01% to 3% by weight. The fat-soluble colorants are for example Sudan red, DC Red 17, DC Green 6, β-carotene, soyabean oil, Sudan brown, DC Yellow 11, DC Violet 2, DC orange 5, quinoline yellow. The water-soluble colorants are for example beet juice or methylene blue.

[0133] According to a preferred mode of the make-up kit and method according to the invention, the base composition is coloured with the colouring matter and the top composition may comprise a substantially transluscent medium such that the said medium does not mask the colour of the flat fibres. The application of the base composition to the keratinous materials and then of the top composition then leads to a make-up which distinctly reveals the flat fibres distributed over the coloured layer obtained with the base composition. A contrast is thereby observed between the colours of the flat fibres and the colour of the base layer.

[0134] The colouring matter present in the first base composition of the make-up kit and method may be chosen from water-soluble or fat-soluble pigments, pearlescent agents and colorants as defined above, in the amounts indicated.

[0135] The composition of the invention, or one of the base and/or top compositions, may comprise one or more gums and/or one or more waxes. The waxes may be hydrocarbon-based, fluorinated and/or silicone-based and may be of plant, mineral, animal and/or synthetic origin. In particular the waxes have a melting point greater than 25° C. and better still greater than 45° C.

[0136] As wax which can be used in the composition of the invention, there may be mentioned beeswax, Carnauba or Candelilla wax, paraffin, microcrystalline waxes, ceresin or ozokerite; synthetic waxes such as polyethylene or Fischer Tropsch waxes, silicone waxes such as alkyl or alkoxy dimethicone having from 16 to 45 carbon atoms.

[0137] The gums are generally PDMSs of high molecular weight or cellulose gums or polysaccharides and the pasty substances are generally hydrocarbon compounds such as lanolins and derivatives thereof or PDMSs.

[0138] The nature and the quantity of the solid substances depend on the desired mechanical properties and textures. As a guide, the composition, or one of the base and/or top compositions, may contain from 0 to 50% by weight of waxes, relative to the total weight of the composition, and better still from 1 to 30%.

[0139] This composition may have the appearance of a cream, ointment, fluid lotion, soft paste (in particular paste having a dynamic viscosity at 25° C. of the order of 0.1 to 40 Pa.s at a shear rate of 200 s⁻¹, after 10 minutes of measurement in a cone/planar geometry), or unguent.

[0140] The composition according to the invention, or one of the base and/or top compositions, may also contain ingredients commonly used in cosmetics, such as vitamins, thickeners, trace elements, emollients, sequestrants, perfumes, alkalinizing or acidifying agents, preservatives, UV-screening agents, or mixtures thereof.

[0141] Of course, persons skilled in the art will be careful to choose this or these optional additional compounds, and/or their quantity, so that the advantageous properties of the composition according to the invention are not, or not substantially, impaired by the addition envisaged.

[0142] The composition of the invention, in particular the base and top compositions, may be obtained according to the methods of preparation conventionally used in the cosmetics or dermatological field.

[0143] Advantageously, the base and top compositions are packaged in separate compartments or containers which may be accompanied by identical or different appropriate application means such as fine brushes, coarse brushes, feathers, sponges or nonwoven materials (paper, patch).

[0144] The top composition comprising the flat fibres may be applied either at one of the ends of the base layer, or in the middle, or discontinuously, in particular in the form of geometrical, symmetrical or asymmetrical motifs (for example in the form of dots, squares, circles, stars), distributed in a random or orderly manner, with distinct or indistinct contours.

[0145] The examples of compositions below are given by way of illustration and without limitation.

EXAMPLE 1

[0146] A nail varnish base composition was prepared comprising: nitrocellulose 19 g N-ethyl o,p-toluenesulphonamide 6 g tributyl acetyl citrate 6 g midnight blue pigments 1 g hectorite 1.2 g isopropyl alcohol 8 g ethyl acetate, butyl acetate qs 100 g

[0147] A top composition (nail varnish) with a transluscent medium was also prepared comprising: nitrocellulose 17.1 g N-ethyl o,p-toluenesulphonamide 5.4 g tributyl acetyl citrate 5.4 g interferential fibres of 10 g polyethylene terephthalate and of nylon having a length of 0.3 mm sold under the name “Morphotex” by the company TEIJIN hectorite 1.0 g isopropyl alcohol 7.2 g ethyl acetate, butyl acetate qs 100 g

[0148] The interferential fibres are well dispersed homogeneously in the nail varnish solvent medium.

[0149] The midnight blue-coloured base composition was applied to the nails and then, after drying of the deposited layer, the top composition was applied thereto. After drying, a make-up is obtained exhibiting a homogeneous deposit of flat fibres with a colour effect on a midnight blue base.

EXAMPLE 2

[0150] A composition A was prepared comprising: nitrocellulose 11.2 g tosylamide/sulphonamide resin 11.1 g plasticizers 6.8 g hectorite 1.1 g ethyl acetate, butyl acetate, qs 100 g isopropyl alcohol

[0151] A composition B was prepared comprising: interferential fibres of polyethylene 10 g terephthalate and of nylon having a length of 0.3 mm sold under the name “Morphotex” by the company TEIJIN Composition A 90 g

[0152] The viscoelastic properties of the film obtained with compositions A and B was evaluated.

[0153] The viscoelastic properties of the film are measured during dynamic trials under sinusoidal actions of low amplitude (small deformations) performed at 30° C. over a frequency range of 0.1 to 20 Hz on a viscoelasticimeter, for example of the DMA 2980 type from T.A. Instruments in traction on film. For this, each mixture is applied to a teflon-based matrix and then, after drying at 30° C. for 24 hours, the film formed is recovered. The modulus of elasticity in traction E′ of the film, expressed in MPa, is then measured.

[0154] The following results were obtained: Thickness of the E′ at Compo- film E′ at 0.1 0.1 Hz E′ at 5 Hz E′ at 20 Hz sition (μm) Hz (in MPa) (in MPa) (in MPa) (in MPa) Compo- 170 6 29 89 203 sition A Compo- 310 25 76 167 296 sition B

[0155] It is observed that the modulus of elasticity measured at each frequency of the film obtained with composition B comprising the flat fibres is higher than that of the film obtained with composition A. Thus, the presence of flat fibres in composition B makes it possible to obtain a film exhibiting reinforced mechanical, in particular elastic, properties. 

1. Composition for topical application with a lipophilic continuous phase, characterized in that it comprises flat fibres.
 2. Composition according to claim 1, characterized in that the flat fibres have a length L and a diameter D such that L/D is chosen from the range going from 1.2 to 2 500, preferably from 1.5 to 500, and better still from 1.6 to
 150. 3. Composition according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the fibres have a section included in a circle having a diameter ranging from 2 nm to 500 μm, preferably ranging from 100 nm to 100 μm and better still from 1 μm to 70 μm.
 4. Composition according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flat fibres have a length L ranging from 1 μm to 10 mm, preferably from 0.1 mm to 5 mm and better still from 0.3 mm to 3.5 mm.
 5. Composition according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flat fibres have a cross section having a longer length L1 and a shorter length L2 such that L1/L2 is greater than 4, preferably greater than
 7. 6. Composition according to claim 5, characterized in that L1/L2 ranges from 4 to 15, preferably from 6 to 12, and better still from 7 to
 10. 7. Composition according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flat fibres have a cross section of rectangular, ovoid or ellipsoid shape.
 8. Composition according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flat fibres are provided in the form of ribbons or tagliatelle.
 9. Composition according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fibres are monofilament or multifilament fibres.
 10. Composition according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flat fibres are twisted along the axis of the length L of the fibres.
 11. Composition according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flat fibres have a titre chosen from the range going from 0.15 to 30 denier and better still from 0.18 to 18 denier.
 12. Composition according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flat fibres are polymer fibres.
 13. Composition according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flat fibres are chosen from rayon fibre, polyamide fibre, viscose fibre, acetate fibre, in particular rayon acetate fibre, poly(p-phenylene-terephthalamide) fibre, acrylic polymer fibre, in particular polymethyl methacrylate fibre or poly-2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate fibre, polyolefin fibre and in particular polyethylene or polypropylene fibre, polytetrafluoroethylene fibre (such as Teflon®), polyvinyl or polyvinylidene chloride fibre, polyvinylidene fluoride fibre, polyvinyl alcohol fibre, polyacrylonitrile fibre, polyurethane fibre, polyester fibre such as polyethylene terephthalates and polyethylene naphthalates, and polycarbonate fibre.
 14. Composition according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flat fibres are chosen from polyester, acrylic polymer and polyamide fibres.
 15. Composition according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flat fibres comprise a polymer chosen from the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, polycarbonate, polymethyl methacrylate, nylon 6, nylon 6-6, nylon 6-12, nylon 11, nylon
 12. 16. Composition according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flat fibres are fibres with a multilayer structure of polymers comprising alternate layers of at least a first polymer and a second polymer.
 17. Composition according to claim 16, characterized in that the said layers of polymers of the flat fibres are such that they allow the creation of a colour effect by interferences of light rays, which diffract and diffuse differently according to the layers.
 18. Composition according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that each layer of polymer is in a plane (P) parallel to the direction of the principal axis of the fibre, in the direction of its length L.
 19. Composition according to any one of claims 16 to 18, characterized in that the multilayer part of the fibre may comprise at least 5 individual layers of polymer, in particular from 5 to 120, preferably at least 10 layers, in particular from 10 to 70 layers, and better still from 10 to 50 layers.
 20. Composition according to any one of claims 16 to 19, characterized in that each layer of the first and second polymers has respectively a thickness d₁, d₂ ranging, independently of each other, from 0.02 μm to 0.3 μm, and preferably from 0.05 μm to 0.15 μm.
 21. Composition according to any one of claims 16 to 20, characterized in that the polymers present in the fibres have a refractive index ranging from 1.30 to 1.82 and better still ranging from 1.35 to 1.75.
 22. Composition according to any one of claims 16 to 21, characterized in that the first and second polymers have respectively a refractive index n₁ and n₂ such that n₁/n₂ ranges from 1.1 to 1.4.
 23. Composition according to any one of claims 16 to 22, characterized in that the flat fibre with multilayer structure has a reflection spectrum such that the width at half height of the spectrum λ_(L=1/2) is in the range 0<λ_(L=1/2)<200 nm.
 24. Composition according to any one of claims 16 to 23, characterized in that the first polymer is a polyester and the second polymer is a polyamide.
 25. Composition according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flat fibres are surface-treated or coated with a protective layer.
 26. Composition according to claim 25, characterized in that the protective layer comprises a polymer chosen from the group consisting of polyurethanes, polyethyl acrylates, polyethyl methacrylates.
 27. Composition according to claim 26, characterized in that the polymer of the protective layer has a refractive index ranging from 1.35 to 1.55.
 28. Composition according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flat fibres are present in an amount ranging from 0.01% to 50% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition, preferably from 0.1% to 30% by weight, and better still from 0.3% to 20% by weight.
 29. Composition according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lipophilic continuous phase contains at least one fatty substance chosen from the group consisting of oils, waxes, gums, pasty fatty substances, lipophilic organic solvents and mixtures thereof.
 30. Composition according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a film-forming polymer.
 31. Composition according to claim 30, characterized in that the film-forming polymer is chosen from the group consisting of vinyl polymers, polyurethanes, polyesters, polyamides, polyureas.
 32. Composition according to claim 30 or 31, characterized in that the film-forming polymer is dissolved or dispersed in the form of particles in the lipophilic continuous phase.
 33. Composition according to any one of claims 30 to 32, characterized in that the film-forming polymer is present in a polymer dry matter content ranging from 0.1% to 60% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition, preferably from 0.5% to 40% by weight, and better still from 1% to 30% by weight.
 34. Composition according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a hydrophilic, aqueous, alcoholic or aqueous-alcoholic phase dispersed or emulsified in the lipophilic continuous phase.
 35. Composition according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it contains, in addition, a particulate phase present in an amount ranging from 0 to 48% of the total weight of the composition, preferably ranging from 0.01% to 30%, and better still ranging from 0.02% to 20%.
 36. Composition according to claim 35, characterized in that the particulate phase is chosen from the group consisting of pigments, pearlescent agents and fillers.
 37. Composition according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a cosmetic ingredient chosen from the group consisting of vitamins, thickeners, trace elements, emollients, sequestrants, perfumes, alkalinizing or acidifying agents, preservatives, or mixtures thereof.
 38. Composition according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is provided in the form of a make-up product for the skin, lips and/or superficial body growths of human beings.
 39. Composition according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is provided in the form of a nail varnish, mascara, eyeliner, hair composition, product for the lips, foundation, concealer, blusher or eyeshadow, product for the eyebrows, make-up product for the body.
 40. Composition according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is provided in the form of a nail varnish.
 41. Nail varnish comprising a lipophilic continuous phase, a film-forming polymer and flat fibres.
 42. Cosmetic method for applying make-up to or caring for the keratinous materials, characterized in that a composition according to any one of claims 1 to 41 is applied to the keratinous materials.
 43. Cosmetic method for applying make-up to the keratinous materials, characterized in that there is applied to the keratinous materials: a first layer of a first composition comprising, in a cosmetically acceptable medium, at least one colouring matter, then the application, to at least a portion of the said first layer, of a second layer of a second composition comprising, in a cosmetically acceptable lipophilic continuous medium, flat fibres, the first composition not comprising flat fibres as present in the second composition.
 44. Method according to claim 43, characterized in that the flat fibres have a length L and a diameter D such that L/D is chosen from the range going from 1.2 to 2 500, preferably from 1.5 to 500, and better still from 1.6 to
 150. 45. Method according to claim 43 or 44, characterized in that the fibres have a section included in a circle having a diameter ranging from 2 nm to 500 μm, preferably ranging from 100 nm to 100 μm and better still from 1 μm to 70 μm.
 46. Method according to any one of claims 43 to 45, characterized in that the flat fibres have a length L ranging from 1 μm to 10 mm, preferably from 0.1 mm to 5 mm and better still from 0.3 mm to 3.5 mm.
 47. Method according to any one of claims 43 to 46, characterized in that the flat fibres have a cross section having a longer length L1 and a shorter length L2 such that L1/L2 is greater than 4, preferably greater than
 7. 48. Method according to claim 47, characterized in that L1/L2 ranges from 4 to 15, preferably from 6 to 12, and better still from 7 to
 10. 49. Method according to any one of claims 43 to 48, characterized in that the flat fibres have a cross section of rectangular, ovoid or ellipsoid shape.
 50. Method according to any one of claims 43 to 49, characterized in that the flat fibres are provided in the form of ribbons or tagliatelli.
 51. Method according to any one of claims 43 to 50, characterized in that the fibres are monofilament or multifilament fibres.
 52. Method according to any one of claims 43 to 51, characterized in that the flat fibres are twisted along the axis of the length L of the fibres.
 53. Method according to any one of claims 43 to 52, characterized in that the flat fibres have a titre chosen from the range going from 0.15 to 30 denier and better still from 0.18 to 18 denier.
 54. Method according to any one of claims 43 to 53, characterized in that the flat fibres are polymer fibres.
 55. Method according to any one of claims 43 to 54, characterized in that the flat fibres are chosen from rayon fibre, polyamide fibre, viscose fibre, acetate fibre, in particular rayon acetate fibre, poly(p-phenylene-terephthalamide) fibre, acrylic polymer fibre, in particular polymethyl methacrylate fibre or poly-2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate fibre, polyolefin fibre and in particular polyethylene or polypropylene fibre, polytetrafluoroethylene fibre (such as Teflon®), polyvinyl or polyvinylidene chloride fibre, polyvinylidene fluoride fibre, polyvinyl alcohol fibre, polyacrylonitrile fibre, polyurethane fibre, polyester fibre such as polyethylene terephthalates and polyethylene naphthalates, and polycarbonate fibre.
 56. Method according to any one of claims 43 to 55, characterized in that the flat fibres are chosen from polyester, acrylic polymer and polyamide fibres.
 57. Method according to any one of claims 43 to 56, characterized in that the flat fibres comprise a polymer chosen from the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, polycarbonate, polymethyl methacrylate, nylon 6, nylon 6-6, nylon 6-12, nylon 11, nylon
 12. 58. Method according to any one of claims 43 to 57, characterized in that the flat fibres are fibres with a multilayer structure of polymers comprising alternate layers of at least a first polymer and a second polymer.
 59. Method according to claim 58, characterized in that the said layers of polymers of the flat fibres are such that they allow the creation of a colour effect by interferences of light rays, which diffract and diffuse differently according to the layers.
 60. Method according to claim 58 or 59, characterized in that each layer of polymer is in a plane (P) parallel to the direction of the principal axis of the fibre, in the direction of its length L.
 61. Method according to any one of claims 58 to 60, characterized in that the multilayer part of the fibre may comprise at least 5 individual layers of polymer, in particular from 5 to 120, preferably at least 10 layers, in particular from 10 to 70 layers, and better still from 10 to 50 layers.
 62. Method according to any one of claims 58 to 61, characterized in that each layer of the first and second polymers has respectively a thickness d₁, d₂ ranging, independently of each other, from 0.02 μm to 0.3 μm, and preferably from 0.05 μm to 0.15 μm.
 63. Method according to any one of claims 58 to 62, characterized in that the polymers present in the fibres have a refractive index ranging from 1.30 to 1.82 and better still ranging from 1.35 to 1.75.
 64. Method according to any one of claims 58 to 63, characterized in that the first and second polymers have respectively a refractive index n₁ and n₂ such that nL/n₂ ranges from 1.1 to 1.4.
 65. Method according to any one of claims 59 to 64, characterized in that the flat fibre with multilayer structure has a reflection spectrum such that the width at half height of the spectrum λ_(L=1/2) is in the range 0<λ_(L=1/2)<200 nm.
 66. Method according to any one of claims 58 to 65, characterized in that the first polymer is a polyester and the second polymer is a polyamide.
 67. Method according to any one of claims 43 to 66, characterized in that the flat fibres are surface-treated or coated with a protective layer.
 68. Method according to claim 65, characterized in that the protective layer comprises a polymer chosen from the group consisting of polyurethanes, polyethyl acrylates, polyethyl methacrylates.
 69. Method according to any one of claims 43 to 68, characterized in that the flat fibres are present in an amount ranging from 0.01% to 50% by weight, relative to the total weight of the second composition, preferably from 0.1% to 30% by weight, and better still from 0.3% to 20% by weight.
 70. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lipophilic continuous phase contains at least one fatty substance chosen from the group consisting of oils, waxes, gums, pasty fatty substances, lipophilic organic solvents and mixtures thereof.
 71. Method according to any one of claims 43 to 70, characterized in that the first and/or the second composition comprises an aqueous, alcoholic or aqueous-alcoholic phase dispersed or emulsified in the lipophilic continuous phase.
 72. Method according to any one of claims 43 to 71, characterized in that the first and/or the second composition comprises a film-forming polymer.
 73. Method according to claim 72, characterized in that the film-forming polymer is chosen from the group consisting of vinyl polymers, polyurethanes, polyesters, polyamides, polyureas.
 74. Method according to claim 72 or 73, characterized in that the film-forming polymer is dissolved or dispersed in the form of particles in the lipophilic continuous phase.
 75. Method according to any one of claims 72 to 74, characterized in that the film-forming polymer is present in a polymer dry matter content ranging from 0.1% to 60% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition, preferably from 0.5% to 40% by weight, and better still from 1% to 30% by weight.
 76. Method according to any one of claims 43 to 75, characterized in that it contains, in addition, a particulate phase present in an amount ranging from 0 to 48% of the total weight of the composition, preferably ranging from 0.01% to 30%, and better still ranging from 0.02% to 20%.
 77. Method according to claim 76, characterized in that the particulate phase is chosen from the group consisting of pigments, pearlescent agents and fillers.
 78. Method according to any one of claims 43 to 77, characterized in that the first and the second compositions are provided in the form of a nail varnish, mascara, eyeliner, hair composition, product for the lips, product for the eyebrows, foundation, concealer, blusher or eyeshadow, make-up product for the body.
 79. Method according to any one of claims 43 to 78, characterized in that the first and the second compositions are provided in the form of a nail varnish.
 80. Method according to any one of claims 43 to 79, characterized in that the second composition comprises a substantially translucent medium.
 81. Make-up kit comprising: a first composition comprising at least one colouring matter in a cosmetically acceptable medium, and a second composition comprising flat fibres in a cosmetically acceptable lipophilic continuous medium, the first composition not comprising flat fibres as present in the second composition, the first and second compositions being packaged in separate containers.
 82. Make-up kit according to claim 81, characterized in that the flat fibres have a length L and a diameter D such that L/D is chosen from the range going from 1.2 to 2 500, preferably from 1.5 to 500, and better still from 1.6 to
 150. 83. Make-up kit according to claim 81 or 82, characterized in that the fibres have a section included in a circle having a diameter ranging from 2 nm to 500 μm, preferably ranging from 100 nm to 100 μm and better still from 1 μm to 70 μm.
 84. Make-up kit according to any one of claims 81 to 83, characterized in that the flat fibres have a length L ranging from 1 μm to 10 mm, preferably from 0.1 mm to 5 mm and better still from 0.3 mm to 3.5 mm.
 85. Make-up kit according to any one of claims 81 to 84, characterized in that the flat fibres have a cross section having a longer length L1 and a shorter length L2 such that L1/L2 is greater than 4, preferably greater than
 7. 86. Make-up kit according to claim 85, characterized in that L1/L2 ranges from 4 to 15, preferably from 6 to 12, and better still from 7 to
 10. 87. Make-up kit according to any one of claims 81 to 86, characterized in that the flat fibres have a cross section of rectangular, ovoid or ellipsoid shape.
 88. Make-up kit according to any one of claims 81 to 87, characterized in that the flat fibres are provided in the form of ribbons or tagliatelli.
 89. Make-up kit according to any one of claims 81 to 88, characterized in that the fibres are monofilament or multifilament fibres.
 90. Make-up kit according to any one of claims 81 to 89, characterized in that the flat fibres are twisted along the axis of the length L of the fibres.
 91. Make-up kit according to any one of claims 81 to 90, characterized in that the flat fibres have a titre chosen from the range going from 0.15 to 30 denier and better still from 0.18 to 18 denier.
 92. Make-up kit according to any one of claims 81 to 91, characterized in that the flat fibres are polymer fibres.
 93. Make-up kit according to any one of claims 81 to 92, characterized in that the flat fibres are chosen from rayon fibre, polyamide fibre, viscose fibre, acetate fibre, in particular rayon acetate fibre, poly(p-phenylene-terephthalamide) fibre, acrylic polymer fibre, in particular polymethyl methacrylate fibre or poly-2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate fibre, polyolefin fibre and in particular polyethylene or polypropylene fibre, polytetrafluoroethylene fibre (such as Teflon®), polyvinyl or polyvinylidene chloride fibre, polyvinylidene fluoride fibre, polyvinyl alcohol fibre, polyacrylonitrile fibre, polyurethane fibre, polyester fibre such as polyethylene terephthalates and polyethylene naphthalates, and polycarbonate fibre.
 94. Make-up kit according to any one of claims 81 to 93, characterized in that the flat fibres are chosen from polyester, acrylic polymer and polyamide fibres.
 95. Make-up kit according to any one of claims 81 to 94, characterized in that the flat fibres comprise a polymer chosen from the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, polycarbonate, polymethyl methacrylate, nylon 6, nylon 6-6, nylon 6-12, nylon 11, nylon
 12. 96. Make-up kit according to any one of claims 81 to 95, characterized in that the flat fibres are fibres with a multilayer structure of polymers comprising alternate layers of at least a first polymer and a second polymer.
 97. Make-up kit according to claim 96, characterized in that the said layers of polymers of the flat fibres are such that they allow the creation of a colour effect by interferences of light rays, which diffract and diffuse differently according to the layers.
 98. Make-up kit according to claim 96 or 97, characterized in that each layer of polymer is in a plane (P) parallel to the direction of the principal axis of the fibre, in the direction of its length L.
 99. Make-up kit according to any one of claims 96 to 98, characterized in that the multilayer part of the fibre may comprise at least 5 individual layers of polymer, in particular from 5 to 120, preferably at least 10 layers, in particular from 10 to 70 layers, and better still from 10 to 50 layers.
 100. Make-up kit according to any one of claims 96 to 99, characterized in that each layer of the first and second polymers has respectively a thickness d₁, d₂ ranging, independently of each other, from 0.02 μm to 0.3 μm, and preferably from 0.05 μm to 0.15 μm.
 101. Make-up kit according to any one of claims 96 to 100, characterized in that the polymers present in the fibres have a refractive index ranging from 1.30 to 1.82 and better still ranging from 1.35 to 1.75.
 102. Make-up kit according to any one of claims 96 to 101, characterized in that the first and second polymers have respectively a refractive index n₁ and n₂ such that n₁/n₂ ranges from 1.1 to 1.4.
 103. Make-up kit according to any one of claims 96 to 102, characterized in that the flat fibre with multilayer structure has a reflection spectrum such that the width at half height of the spectrum λ_(L=1/2) is in the range 0<λ_(L=1/2)<200 nm.
 104. Make-up kit according to any one of claims 96 to 103, characterized in that the first polymer is a polyester and the second polymer is a polyamide.
 105. Make-up kit according to any one of claims 81 to 104, characterized in that the flat fibres are surface-treated or coated with a protective layer.
 106. Make-up kit according to claim 105, characterized in that the protective layer comprises a polymer chosen from the group consisting of polyurethanes, polyethyl acrylates, polyethyl methacrylates.
 107. Make-up kit according to any one of claims 81 to 106, characterized in that the flat fibres are present in an amount ranging from 0.01% to 50% by weight, relative to the total weight of the second composition, preferably from 0.1% to 30% by weight, and better still from 0.3% to 20% by weight.
 108. Make-up kit according to any one of claims 81 to 107, characterized in that the lipophilic continuous phase contains a fatty substance chosen from the group consisting of oils, waxes, gums, pasty fatty substances, lipophilic organic solvents and mixtures thereof.
 109. Make-up kit according to any one of claims 81 to 107, characterized in that the first and/or the second composition comprises an aqueous, alcoholic or aqueous-alcoholic phase dispersed or emulsified in the lipophilic continuous phase.
 110. Make-up kit according to any one of claims 81 to 109, characterized in that the first and/or the second composition comprises a film-forming polymer.
 111. Make-up kit according to claim 110, characterized in that the film-forming polymer is chosen from the group consisting of vinyl polymers, polyurethanes, polyesters, polyamides, polyureas.
 112. Make-up kit according to claim 110 or 111, characterized in that the film-forming polymer is dissolved or dispersed in the form of particles in the lipophilic continuous phase.
 113. Make-up kit according to any one of claims 110 to 112, characterized in that the film-forming polymer is present in a polymer dry matter content ranging from 0.1% to 60% by weight relative to the total weight of the composition, preferably from 0.5% to 40% by weight, and better still from 1% to 30% by weight.
 114. Make-up kit according to any one of claims 81 to 113, characterized in that it contains, in addition, a particulate phase present in an amount ranging from 0 to 48% of the total weight of the composition, preferably ranging from 0.01% to 30%, and better still ranging from 0.02% to 20%.
 115. Make-up kit according to claim 114, characterized in that the particulate phase is chosen from the group consisting of pigments, pearlescent agents and fillers.
 116. Make-up kit according to any one of claims. 81 to 115, characterized in that the first and second compositions are provided in the form of a nail varnish, mascara, eyeliner, hair composition, product for the lips, foundation, product for the eyebrows, concealer, blusher or eyeshadow, make-up product for the body.
 117. Make-up kit according to any one of claims 81 to 116, characterized in that the first and second compositions are provided in the form of a nail varnish.
 118. Make-up kit according to any one of claims 81 to 117, characterized in that the second composition comprises a substantially translucent medium.
 119. Make-up kit according to any one of claims 81 to 118, characterized in that the first and second compositions are packaged in separate compartments.
 120. Use of flat fibres in a cosmetic composition comprising a lipophilic continuous phase for mechanically strengthening the deposit obtained after the application of the said composition to keratinous materials, and/or the said composition.
 121. Support to which make-up has been applied comprising a make-up which is capable of being obtained according to the make-up application method in accordance with any one of claims 42 to 80 and applied to the said support, the said support being chosen from false nails, false eyelashes, pastiches, wigs, pastilles or patches adhering to the skin or the lips. 